Method and apparatus for preparing pinbar plates for use on offset printing presses



Feb. 23, 1965 E. R. UPDEGRAFF 3,170,245

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING PIN-BAR PLATES FOR USE ON OFFSETPRINTING PRESSES Filed Aug. 1, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 MASTER NEGATIVEFIG. I FIG. 2

. INVENTOR. EDWARD R. UPDEGRAFF v A TTORNE Y5.

I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. R. UPDEGRAFF METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARINGPIN-BAR PLATES FOR USE ON OFFSET PRINTING PRESSES A TTORNEYfi Feb. 23,1965 Filed Aug. 1, 1962 F M v N D 1T n G W W 8/D! 3 H N E 1 R 7 y m m ER 6 m T 2 a w m m 4% w 6 F. n A F 5 m M M M m 6 1- 4 9,6. G 1 .C L I L B.L F 2 w m m r 7 I, 9 x u 3 w I 1 3 3 1 2 v r H 4 I r M 8 Y a Y I \l 2 2R E R a 5 4 Z a mv XV Mm a m m G I m m m F I m a N I! 1. 1| 1 d W: z adF RING PIN E. R. UPDEGRAF 3,170,245 RAT -BAR PLATES FOR ON OFFSETPRINTING PRESSES' Feb. 23, 1965 METHOD AND APPA us FOR PREPA USE 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 1, 1962 FIG. 9

INVENTOR EDWARD R. UPDEGRAFF BY 5 n W! Z ram/gs.

United States Pa amed efjilf i ii 1 V I f r p 2 v 7 "ing positioninglines located in properly spaced relation- 1 t l t METHQD AND APPARATEEFQR PRE G P v sup 0 the lead edge of the paper. The master htho I Vgraphic negatives are then secured in the correct positions BAR PLATESFUR USE ON QFBSET PRINTING on the layout by suitable'rneans, such aspressure sensi- Tsn'ma ts PRESSES.

m m U dl fi 4611 Harvard Road, 0 .tive tape, and the paper is cut awaywhere 1t'1s necestCollege Park,- Md. t V ary forthe hght to penetratethe transparent areas of the Filed Aug; 1, 19.62, Ser. No. 213,936lithographic negatives to form images on the light sen- 8 Claims. (Cl.33-4845) sitive surface of the pin-barplate. L

1 Subsequent flats for the remaining colors are then ThlS invention.relates to a method and apparatus for 1() prepared individually byaligning the lead edge of an Pr p P -b PP E Q u on Onercolol' '0 othersheet of light opaque paper with the lead edge of o p offset P t pressesn m particularly, for Y the master flat and, using a light table,carefully'positionuse in multi-cblm u i pr n 011 W p ing the second setof negatives in perfectregistration with I .61 to use offset'printing prfor rnulti-cqlor respect to the master fiat, and securing the second setof P n g, fOI amp1e,(it 'is nv n P p (a negatives in place on the secondfiat paperby suitable pl r y P Plaies, chp t Containing an image means,such as pressure sensitive tape. The second flat of y that p n of the tlf raPvl'esfinted bytone paper is then cut away in the areas Where itWill be necpartiwlar q 0n o 'p so of the n v essary for the light topenetrate the second set of lithoi imase P a isfilen installed on i116Plate y graphic negatives. If third, fourth," etc., flats are re- 0f thePI and a P3 T1111 is made on fl p p 20 quired, they are preparedsuccessively in the afore menprinting'only'the image representingthis'particular color. ti d If the multi-color press is used,individual; color image 1 59111 i ta e 'it i 'pegieg sary to make two orplates are, installed On eac 0 0f t Separate P1ate more fiats to createacne-color imageon a pin-bar;plate.

,cy1inders0f the P3 after wh c i 3165009101 A common exampleot thisiswhere solid type is placed mages is made on the paper; 25 on top of atone, or screened, backgrouridyanother examv i 'p i 7P a 1 U g fifi P s1 pie is a photograph reproduction withsolid type placed I each ,0116ofthe C0161 images, the COIQIS have on top of it; till anbthep using a cm.

been vPrinlfid and h S l QPlS complete 011 the P P plicated fiat fromaformer printing 'run,.blanking out'a I y In Such a P i Q iY l E Q Y hata h C certain portion of this, and making a new flat consisting 1 tflimage ptth it a' u i ,qa' J fia hfifi O 3 3 only of alterations forthe blanked out portionyof the 7 nd a P a s b inlperfect reg trationyvitheach other 3 original flat. In the'otfset-"printingart, wheretwojfiats u 9 after l 9 a eib n'p nt gtfpn h P p areiinvolved inproducing one image o i=a" plate, jthis h y l fllpm od falttlining'pe'ffedt regis'ifaprocedure is knownflas double-burningand're q uires QQ s q l lj l fi Q fj fl h Q hai'rline, accuracy inpositioning the second ea en. the Q n sl lfi z is p t Qllli QQP JHYQWmaflipulaling plate to exactly match the first fburn? or=eirposi1reThis] adjustable-paper guides, at'the le'adjedge andsat the 'side of fiouy li md by afi lyi i lessure thej sheet,vvhichcontrol'the sheet as'it-passes through the "atepoints on thepin-barfplate.

a p S h iu tm ntkh gmadeiv p a ts -werefbeing 'jeated in'eietregistration jfquent trialsheetsuntil the de'siredregistration isobtained: ght table;- b 'oth i ith opaoue iljhisfisatimeconsuming;operationirrespective ofvvheth er. 5f f jh 'i V VV V '9 -2Qlo os i e "r e 'i tv d A t q e irfac'tly a cum the-niece; Thisi ce: Ofise? I n r 9 53 n $$1 m3 P PF ejevent ala'rgeitnage is guidedjustmentsfonly at he sideofth sheetf Anycolor lmagepositionchangekonithe sheet in -theg directioni of ov'emeri't of thesheet through the' press can he achieved ray with an eioa ctlylparallelmovement o'f the plate 1 cylinder Qn -suolr, resses"?it is not possibleto make anyn 'essarg twist, or o'fl angle rribvementi ot individualcolor lrnagesonithe plapei :Wheri this twisttypejof posik t 'tiQllmovement isInec essary, an? averagezgcqrriproiriise Ito proper, lo mage,position on the paper Is, the best thatcanybeachievd. j 1:? f'E-tficientj production of jmu'l ple iorrn printing (con 'sistingoflvariations, ofia b n'feach of which is t t 'printed- Qnf-aseparatesheet of aper) alsoirequiresper a 'fectregis'trationiof theforms prmted forr 'all oftthe various.

" formslthia'tconstituteone j bandar Printed'on separate) 7 sheetsofpaper. Here againgperfiect registration is con-' Y ventionally achieved,bylithe same Itime oonsuniinggoper 1 ations .des'cribed in I-the"'product iorlfof colonprinting; v

tAllso on o tisetjpreses hich' 'dofnotlhave'a'paper lead" edgeadjustmentdevi'ce is no possible {to inakea twist lign eht f'the pin-bar holes in'tfie m-b mo me o t m g fp i a nhr 'i a err t ai a e ttenei with theleadp edg'e of he lacer-s1) the ciQiTl/filfomise the i l f P$ lyl'fislllt ipin-bar unit in thejpla te cylinder of. thejprinting res tsobtainable. a L v y 5 1x103; alwaysperiectly aligned, e.ga parallel,with respectto known to ath ose' skille d in the ofifset printingart,the axis of rotation of the cyli nder,and/ort l) on those g jfidi id l,pin-bar lat i gti n r p d b presses Wlth' no paper leadcdg'eadju'stnientdevice, the

first making a flat for each'colorinvolved in' the'over-all p 4"printing job, utilizing lithographic negatives, A master3X'1sofrotat1on of the pla te .cyhnderL flat is. prepared on alighttable'xby first making a niaster i It is, therefore, an object,ofithe present inventionitoi layout onasheet o tlightopaqdepaper, .thelayout ol 1 provide a ne and improved methoda f reparing pi paper,stoplfingefrs may not-be perfectlyparalle1 'v' /iththe f f 7 itionmovementi h It is still another object of the present in ventioi -toprovide anew andimprovedapparatus for preparing pin-bar plates for useon oflfsefp'resses' whereby multiple burns controlled and eliminate thenecessity for any paper guide adjustments and/ or plate cylindermovements. I

It is another object of the present invention to provide image positionon the paper are not now possible, a new and improved method forpreparing pin-bar plates which eliminates the necessity for this kind ofimage position movement, or any other kind of image position movement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved method for preparing pin-bar plates for use on ofiset presseswhereby multiple burns or exposures can be prepared more rapidly than bythe presfor those ofI'set presses whereon twist movements of the layoutline representing the lead edge of the press sheet and the lead edge ofthe flat should be perfectly parallel with each other. The distancebetween these two parallels, of course, will be determined by thesize'of the particular pin-bar plate and the offset press being used.The lead edge guides on the apparatus are then adjusted equally by useof shims so that, after holes have been punched in the flat, thedistance between these holes and the image will correspond to thedistance between the holes and the plate and the point on the platewhere the lead edge of the image should appear in order to be in propertransfer position to the blanket cylinder. The side guide shims are thenadjusted so that the distance from the nearest holein the punch will be/8" more than distance from ent conventional method employed and, moreparticularly I for small plates, positive registration control methodthat is not dependent upon the availability of any blank areas anywhereon the printing area of the pin-bar plate so that maximum size imagescan be produced smoothly and efficiently on maximum size sheets.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro- 7 It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide 'a new and improved apparatusfor preparing pin-bar. plateswhereby the position of the image whenprinted on the paper can be, exactlypredetermined and co ritrolled, andwhich eliminates the necessity'for any paper guide adjustmentsand/orplate cylinder,movements.

1 It is still another object of the present invention to prov vide anewand improved apparatus for preparin'g'fpiu-bar plates for use on thoseofiset presses whereon twistfmove ments of the image position on thepaper are notpos-l sible, which eliminates theinecessity for this kindofim side of the sheet. I

assured, a few of the sheets are run through on both sides,

a few'sheets are run, making certain of perfect press registration byrunning these sheets through twice on the same After perfect pressregistration has been using the same lead edge for both sides. The leadedge printed line isthen checked for perfect parallel, and the sidelines are checked for. perfect right angle and side center by stabbingthesheets with a sharp knife or point,

or by looking through thesheets with a magnifying glass h on a lighttable; Next, a few sheets are run and printed on both sides, using thetail of the sheets as the lead edge on the second side. These sheetsarechecked for image 1 center on thellengthof the sheet.

The three guide shims of the punchapparatus may now be adjusted in theamounts necessary tocompensate for I discrepancies of image parallel,right angle to the lead age; position movement or any other kind ofimage posi- 5 f or exposures can'be prepared and made, with increasedspeed and efliciency over the present conventional method. 3

now generally employed in 'the printing industry. 5-

A prefe'ired ractice ofthe present invention for multicolor printingcomprises first making a flat for'each color 7 involved, utilizinglithographic negatives in a manner well known to those skilledin theart. Assuming,,simply'by way of example, that only t'wo colors are.involved in the finished job, the first (master) flat is prepared on alight table, and a second fiat is superimposed .onthe first fiatimperfect registration, e.g..so that the respective portions "of thefinished job which are to be printed ,by"pin-bar plates made from the.two flats will be in perfectregis tuition. The two flats are thenreleasablyv securedjtogether in the aforementioned superimposedrelation.

- The'next step involves the use of the punchapparatus but, before thepunch may be used, it is necessary that the punch guides be initiallyand finally adjusted forrthe particular offset press upon which thepin-bar plate is to be used. The prescribedmethod for adjusting theseedge, or centeron thesheet. After these adjustments. havebeen made, theflat'lead edgeisremovedjand a new edge accurately attached withlightopaque tape. -This new edge is then repunched. A new pin-barplate ,is

. made, and sheets are run andbacked up a'sbefore. -When thisrnaximumpresssizeimage has been checked out as properly. positioned onthe-sheet, no further adjustments of the punch guide shims areneces'sary',,and theapparatus j is now ready fdruseinproduction jobs. f'Returning tofthe description ofa two-color'job, while thetwo flatsaresecured :together in perfect registration, a pair of holes are punchedsimultaneously through'both flats zit-the lead edge. -These ,-holesfcorrespond exactly in diameter .and spacing'to two of the pin-bar;plate holes which-are in a row of such holes in conventional pin-barJplates used on offset printingfpresses.

After the'twoflats have been punched as just described,

they are separated ,andjfeach is relea'sably, secured to a" separatepin-bar plate, or to two sides of a pin-bar plate which is sensitizedoii bothsides. Inv order toposition the two; images ihperfec'tregistration with each other in relation to the holes'in each of thepin-bar plates, the fix: ture meanson the ,apparatusis employed.Thenfthe as sociated flats and plates are exposed to a suitable-lightsource following which the flat is removed and the exposed surface, orsurfaces, of the pin ba'r plateis treated with suitable chemicals.todevelop the image thereon in a guides is to first draw a maximum presssize image witrr,

a fiat %"'wider" than theipin bar plate is created; The

fine lines on copy paper or, board suitable for photographing. Alithographic negative is made of this copy and manner well known tothose skilled in the art. 7

Because the'two holes punched in one fiat were punched simultaneouslywith thepunching of those in the other flatg and since the two flatswerebeing held in perfect re istration with each otherduring the punchingoperation and since those pin-bar plate holes and th e holes in.

thefiats'have a common'diameter and spacing, and further since the rowof pin-bar holes *in one pin-oar plate correspor ds in size and spacingto the row of pin-barholes in the other plate, the foregoing methodproducesthe. re-, sult that the respective hats are so oriented withrespect to the pin-bar plate holes that the portion of the total jobdeveloped on one plate must be in perfect registration with respect to'the portion of the total job developed on the other plate, or on the,other side of the same plate. This means that the respective portions ofthe job are in perfect registration with each other in their relation tothe holes in the pin-bar plate and, subsequently, in their respectivepositions on the plate cylinder after the plates have been installedthereupon.

A preferred apparatus according tothe present invention is a punchdevicemade up of a generally rectangular plate-like member having a fiat uppersurface of sufficient r size to readily accommodate the various sizes ofpin-bar plates. A punch bar is pivotally connected along one edge of theplate-like member, and this bar has two' punch projections extendingtherefrom each of a size and shape corresponding to the standard sizeand diameter of the holes in a particular pin-bar, plate; Also, thesetwo punch projections are spaced apart in exact accordance with thespacing between a predetermined two of the number of pin-bar plate holesconventionally provided in a pin bar plate. The punch device hasadjustable lead edge guides and a side guide associated therewith. Thetwo lead edge guides and the side guide are provided with individualspacing shims, and each one of the three guides isheld individually andfirmly in position by individual screw means. The purpose of the spacingshims and the individualscrews is to permit permanent and firmadjustment o the individual guides inorder tocompensate for parallelimperfections between the pin-bar unit in the plate cylinder, the "platecylinder, and fixed position paper stop fingers on some offset-presses;Since these imperfections are constant andfixed" characteristics of a'.printing press, the adjustment ofthese guides is an initial or one-timeoperation thatneed not b'e repeatedatter having oncelbeen properlyperformed, 1 Obviouslyjfor efiici'ent production, one such apparatuscanbe adjusted to: only one one-color press, a a multi color'press.

- The other end edge portionjoflitheiplateelihe member is" provided withtwo nietaldowel members each identical in diameter and shapetoaccommodate snuglythe holes in the' pin-barijplate,and'flieholespunched'in. the lead edges ofthe fiat. Tl1ese,t'yvo' metal dowel menibers'areexactlyjspaced apart in accordance with the spacing of r "'flatwillbemounted'onlthernetaldowels gj also,f an t the at'will beattached-Ito ,pre'ssureatthe-V an quare' notches,

151f agtwo sided'sens'itized' in bar 'plate;isused; l a

first mounted on'gtheimetal, owels-dvithathe e posed other flat-willthen be mounted on theimeta'l dowels lwith the exposed'gadhesive tapeftoward the pin-bar plate,- Finger 'pressure on topzof theathreeinounted' component" etch points'will attachta flatij at the Venotchand-Isquare' n 3 to each-side .of the pin-bar plate; 5f,

' descriptiongtaken-in conjunc'tionfwiththeattached drawings, in whichzwi i f v ,FIG.-1 is atop plan view showin'gtasmaster layout and J amaster lithographic" negative positioned on a table ,j as an initialprocedure in -preparing thelma stil flil 'with a portion of th e -fiatpaperjg shown b c r'tojone" plate cylind e'r of" .theffpunch projectionsat the :iojthe'rj'erid of theplate-like merriber r Consequently atter-apars r flats haveflbeen.

(pin-bar platewill bej mouiiteTbnithetu t iadhesive side. of fth'e tapeaway from the apparatuaiithe {plate will next be mountedon themetaldowelsgand'thef FIG. 2 shows the master fiat-of'FlG, llturned-loverI a -Fe 6 a 7 enable easy visibility for positioning secondaryfiatnegatives in exact registration with those installed on the master fiatend, subsequently to permit exposure light to penetrate the negative;

5 FIG. 3 is a top plan view. similar to FIG. 1 showing a secondary fiatpositioned on top of the master flat;

, FIG. 4 is a-view similar to FIG. 2 and shows a secondary flat turnedover and a portion of the secondary flat paper being cut away to enableeasy visibility for positioning the secondary fiat negative in exactregistration with the master fiat negative and subsequently to permitexposure light to penetrate the negative; V

FIG. 5 is a top plan View similar to FIG. 3 showing the secondary flatreturned to position on top of the master fiat and attached in exactregistration thereto; r V i FIG. 6 is-a perspective view of theapparatus of this invention; r a a FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view ofthe left end portion of the apparatus of FIG. 6 showing the master andsecondary flats beingplaced in the apparatus for simultaneous punching;f I

. FIG. 8 is an end view of the punching element of the apparatus shownin FIG- 6;

the invention being used to position a flat on a pin bar erally by there'ferencenumeral 2f,. Master fiat 1 com.-

' A master negative iis placed .on sheet S-emulsio'n' side up, theyimage ,16 iof the negative'being carefully as .pressu're isensitivetape7;; Sheetjfi is; secufred:to the light tabl'e 'by suitable means;"suchas? pressure sensitive tape stripsSfand 9-shown inVFIQQl.

' t ontosheet} as described abovertape strips S are. loosened nd t h'emaster flat; l is turiied over -using* tape :strips"j9 as hinges so"that the opposite: surfacef, 1Q of sheet '3. 1'

expos I not shown, fThe portion 11 which is cutaway isjlarg e enough toenable easy'ivisbilityior positioning secondary punch apparatus guideshereinafterl describeld.

1 v .Like master flatL'secondary-fiat izcornprises a sheet I ofligh't'opague paper :17; and this sheetis'suitably rnar'ked s indicatedby marking line 18 ton-cutting to provide an 7 :e'rrposure opening .forthe lsecondary negative.

FIG. 9 is a' rpartial section taken on line 9--9 on Referring to FIG, 1of'the drawings, a master fiat L 'is shown as being positioned on alight'table indicated gen- 'prises'asheetfi or light opaque paperhavingalead edge A .alligned with suitablej'iguide, lines put onto' sheet; 3 av,

rnanner well kn'own ito those skilledin-the an; Negative f 5' is securedinplace on sheet 3v by suitable'rneangg such ,QAfEte'r themaster-negativeS has been placed correctly, 7

p d,'-'-'as"shownfinEIG Z. ,A suitably sizedrportion'i'. 1 of jsheet3-*i s cut away asindicatedin FIGJZutiIiZing ianylsuitable instruments'uch-fas a'sharp blade member,

vvfiatwnegatives in eXact registration ,with thqsenowinstalled p n tl'eJnaSterjfiQatand,subsequentlyflto 'perm' exposure f' rned tor-thepositio shown able-means such as' pressurefsensitive tapestrips-:13so

.that,' as shown in EIG. 3,"tl releaddge.l t offtheisecond 'aryfiatisfspaced' slightly finwjardlywith respect to the leadf'edge'fiofthe master flat and; the iriglitedge 15 of i I .;the' secondary fiatis spac'ed'slightly inwardlywith respeet Oher objects and advantages ofthe present invention will becomev more apparent from the followingdetailed i to therighti'edge 1610f the rnaster flat. As is explained ingreater detailhereinafter} the purpose of thisfis to asa v sure that thelead and right 'edges ores secondaryvflat do v 0 not interfere withthemaste flat'resting flush against the Referring to FIG. 4, secondary flat12 is then turned over, using tape strips 13 as hinges. A portion 19 isthen cut out of sheet 17 of secondary flat '12 to provide an opening 26sufiiciently large to permit easy visibility for positioning thesecondary flat negative in exact registration with the master flatnegative, and, subsequently to permit exposure light to penetrate therequired portions of the secondary negative. V notches 21 are cut in thelead edge 14 of secondary flat 12 while square notches 22 are cut in thetail edge 23 of the secondary flat. Lengths 24 and 25 of pressuresensitive tape are applied substantiallyacross the entire width ofmaster flat 1 adjacent the lead and tail edges 4 and 26, respectively,as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, secondary flat 12 is then returned to its originalposition on top of master flat 1, and the secondary flat is secured tothe light table .by suitable means such as pressure sensitive tapestrips 27. Lengths 23 and 29 of pressure sensitive tape are then appliedsubstantially across the entire width of secondary fiat 12 adjacent thelead and tail edges 14 and 23 as shown in PEG. 5. When tape lengths 28and 29 are so applied, they extend across the V notches 21 and squarenotches 22 Wherefore the sticky side of the tape lengths engages tapelengths24 and 25 which were applied to master flat 1 and thusattach'secondary flat 12 with respect to master flat 1.

With the secondary flat thus attached with respect to the light tableand with respect to masterflat 1, the secondary negative 30 ispositioned onto sheet 17 of secondary. fiat 12 so that the image 31 of,thesecondary negative one end of base member 55 by a suitable means,such as hinges 38 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Punch plate 37 carries a pairof cylindrical punch projections 39 (see FIG. 8), each having a diameterand size corresponding to the diameter and size of a pin-bar hole in aconventional pinbar plate. Projections 39 are spaced apart a distanceequal to the distance between a predetermined pair of pin-bar holesconventionally provided in a pin-bar plate. A resilient stripping member40 is mounted on punch plate 37 to automatically strip the punched fiatsfrom punch projections 39 when the punch plate is released.

A die bar 41 having a pair of holes 42 of diameter and spacing adaptedto snugly receive punch projections 39 is mounted on base member 35 forcooperative engagement with punch projections 39 whereby a pair of holesmay be punched simultaneously in the flats. A pair of individuallyadjustable lead edge guides 43 and an adjustable side edge guide 44 aremounted on die bar 41 to facilitate the proper location of the punchedholes in the flats with respect to the guide edge of the flats.Referring particularly to FIG. 8, lead edge guides 43 are adjustablymounted with respect to die bar 41 by screw mem- 'hers 45, shim members46 being utilized as required to is correctly positioned with respect toimage 6 of the master negative 5 so that these respective image portionswill be in correct position, e.g. registration, when the finished job isproduced. Having secured secondary negative 3%) to achieve-thedesiredimage position, the. secondary negative is then secured onto sheet 17'by suitable means such as strips 32 of pressuresensitive tape.

Tape strips 8,9, 13 and 27 arethen cut free both 0 master ,flat 1 andsecondary fiat 12*so thatthey can be lifted' from light table 2. Ofcourse; the flats are secured with respect to each other at thelocations Iof V, notches provide theproper adjustment of the lead edgeguides with respect to the die bar. Side edge guide 44 is similarlymounted by suitable means such as screw member 47 and spacing shims 48,as required.

As shown in PEG. 7, arrows 49 indicate that in using the punch apparatusof the present invention, lead edge 4 of master flat 1, with secondaryflat 12 attached thereto, is abutted against lead edge guides 43, andarrow 50 indicates that side edge 16 of'the master fiat is abuttedagainst side edge guider44. As has been described'above, the respectivesideand edge guides have .been'properly adjusted for the particularprinting press involved, andthe abutmerit of the leadj'a'nd side edgesof the master flat is-accomplished prior'to the actual punchingoperation. This 21 and, square notches 22. A pair. of holes33 are'thenfpunched simultaneously through both flats adjacent sthe lead edges 4 and14 thereof, these holes corresponding exactly in size andspacingto aselected pair of holesin a.

conventionaTpin-bar plate. This punching is accomi plished using theapparatus of the present invention dey scribed'below. Prior to punchingthese holes, thermaster and secondary flats are turned over from theposition shown in FIGrS so that edge '16 of master-flat 1 is on,

master and secondary the left and the'emul'sion sides of negatives 5 and'30 are down.

After thelrespective flats have suresensitive tape are applied adjacentthe lead and tail edges of the respective flats onthesidesot sheets 3and 17 opposite from the sides having tape 'lengths 24, 25,

"28 and 29 thereon, these additional tape lengths being applied so'asnot'to cover holes 33 punched in the respec-' a.

tive-flats.- With this accomplished, each flat is nowready to beattached to a pin-bar plate, utilizing apparatus according to thepresentinvention.

A preferred apparatus according to this invention, shown in FIGS. 6- 10,comprises a punch device indicated generally by reference numeral34having a generally rectangular base member 35,?with a flat uppersurface 36 of sufiicient size'to readily accommodate aconventiona1.pin-barplate. A punch plate 37 is .pivotally connected to;

, punching is, of course, accomplished while the master and secondaryflats are attached-to each other as shown in FIG. 5, thef punching beingaccomplished while the attachedflats are turned over from thepositionshown in Pros- Referring to thef'rightend portion of the app' natusv shown in FIGaQ-apair of cylindrical projections-or dowels 51project-from" the upper surface36 of punch apparatus 34. Theseprojections 51 have a diameter and spacing. corresponding to that ofpunchprojections 39;

This means that the holes 33 puncl1ed adjacent thelead "edges of theflats will receive projections 51 snugly'jas will,

of cpurse, thef--' corresponding pair of'holes inr ai c onvenationalpin-barplate with respect" to which punch projections. 39 ar iditableprojections '51 w'erecorrelateddnh tially'in regardv to size andspacing. 'Thus, referring to FIG. 11, dot-dash lines 52 indicatethecorrelation in size ands'sp'acing inregard to.;,-itable projections 5,1,a ,correj spon'ding pair of holes 53 in a pin-bar plate 54, and holes I1 33 which have been punchediadjacent the lead".edge of r master flat 1.

From FIG. 11 itis apparent that,.after holes';33 have. ,beenpunche'dsimultaneously i'n the respective.-fiats,and the flats then separated,anjindividual flat may then be mounted with respect to an associatedpin-bar plate 54 by V 5 placing both the. pin-bar plate and the flatonto projections F 51. Having'be'en correlatejd in proper'pos'itioninthe manner justdescribed,v the associated flat and pin-bar plate' arethen secured with respect to eachjother by suitable means, such aslengths 60 and 61 of pressure sensitive tape which extend acrossthewidth of the rear'surface it) of master flat 1 adjacent thelead edge 4and tail edges 26 thereof as shown in FIG. 11. It will be recalled thatI V notches 21 and square; notches 22 had-been cut off when the masterand secondary flats were separated.

Within thespirit and scopeof my invention. v: y

which are exposed at the V and square notches will adhere to the pin-barplate surface and thussecure the flat with respect to the pin-bar plate.Of course, a has been mentioned above, tape length 69 is stopped so thatit does not cover the punched holes 33, this being shown in FIG. 11,whereby the master flat may be placed onto dowels 51 in the mannerdescribed. After the fiat'and pin-bar plate have been secured togetheras described, they are removed from apparatus 34 for further processing,in a manner known to those skilled in the art, to develop the image ontothe pin-bar plate.

To facilitate such removal, the upper surface 36 of punch apparatus .34is preferably a thin sheet of metal 55 having sufiicient resiliency sothat the sheet can beflexed to clear the upper edges of projections 51.This structure is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 where sheet will beflexed. I After the pin-bar plate has been prepared in the man-v ner.described above, it is then installed onto the plate cylinder of aprinting press, and the prjess'run to print the color image portioncarried by the particular. pin-bar; 1 plate. plate is removed from theplate cylinder and another pin- Once this is accomplished, thisparticular1pin-bar bar plate mounted thereon, the other pin-bar platecarryinga ditferenbcolor image portion. Thesheets having 'the firstimage portion printed thereon are then 'run. 7 V through-the press againand the second image portion isf t printed onto the sheets in perfectregistration with the. I V f firstiniage portion. If a two-colorprinting job is' involved, this completes the printing but, of course,if more,

than twdeolors are involved, "thensubsequent pin bar plates aremountedgon the plate fcylinder, in successiom sand succjessiverunsmade'untilall of the-colon portions of'theiinageare printed.WhereE-frcint and rear surfaces appearing in the finished printing jobby securing a photographic negative to a sheet of light blockingmaterial ,and: removing a portion-of the sheet where it is desired forlight to penetrate the negative, superimposing said flats in perfectregistration on a light tahle,'and simultaneously punching a pluralityof holes through said flats, adjacent a corresponding edge of each'flatwhile said flats are maintained' insaid perfect registration, said holescorresponding in size and spacing to selected pin-bar holes in a pin.-,bar plate with which said flats are adapted to be used, separating saidflats, releasably securing each flat to a separate pin-bar plate withsaid punched holes in said secured flat being in registry with saidselected holes in said pin-bar plate, and then transferring the imagecarried by said flat to said pin-bar plate for subsequentdevelopmentthereon. I

' 2. A method of preparing pin-bar plates for multi-color or multi-formprinting, said method comprising the steps of preparing a master flatfor one .color or form used by securing a photographic negative to asheet of light blocking material andremoving a portion of the sheetwhere it is desired for light to penetrate the negative, said masterflat having guide lines thereon, preparing a secondary flat for eachother color or formused byfsecuring a photographic negative to a sheetof light blocking material and removing a portion of the sheet where itis desired for light to penetrate the negative, superimposing said.secondary flats in precise registry onto said master flat,simultaneously punching a plurality of holes through all of said flatsadjacent a corresponding edgeof said flats'while said flats aremaintained insaid superimposed relation, said holesi'co'rresponding insize and-spacing to selected pinbar holes inapin-bar plate, separatingsaid flats, and

3 bar plate, said punched holes in said fiat bein'gin registry V lreleasably securing each flat to a separate pin-bar plate to transferthe image from said flat to its associated pin:

" with said selected holes in said pin-bar plate. I

3. A r'neth od of preparingp'in-bar plates for'multi color U :ormulti-form printinggsaid method comprising the-stepsif of preparing amaster flat forone color or form used by asecuring a master photographicnegative to' a sheet of a in-bar plate are utilizedinstead of onlyonesurface,

then instead of mounting aseparate pinfbar plate on. the

tively asdescribed' above Forpurpose "of conyeni ncefandeaseofdes'criptiomthe apparatus'of this invention has been described" ashav Z' ing, only two punch projections 39, holes 42.," and dowels? "5L llowever, it may be desirable to fprovidega" greater number ofv theseelementsparticularly :if large 'flatsandi pin-bar plates are zllSed, andit"isconsidered within the scope ofth'is inventionto provide any greaternumberof q these elements.

While I have: described and 'illustratedtpreferred em bodimentsof'my'invention; I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to berestricted solely thereto, but that I:

, do intend to cover all embodiments thereof which would (be apparent toone skilled in the art and whichfcome I claim:

1. A method of preparing pin-bar plate's for use in multi-color ormulti-formf printing, saicl'm'etho'd-compris latewill berturne' "overiand used to 7 light blo'cking'materiaI and'removingaportion of thesheet here it is. desired for light to] penet jatesthe negative, said"aster flat 'liayinglguide'llines thereom and, said master negativebeing positioned in relation'tosaid .guide linest v and containingthefimagefto be represented by said onelfs 3 color or form, preparingsja secondary flat for, 'each' other 7 color or form used by securing'asecondary photographicnegative to asheet of light blocking material andIfimov .50 penetrate the negativieQeaeh "secondary negative conta' 1.ing the image to be represented by oneof saidgothercolors or, forms,superimposing "said secondary flatsonto said, masterflat usingfa 'light.table to registergthe image'sof .said: secondaryinegatives with the;irnag'eij of said masterfl' nega tive,{simultaneously punching, aplurality of hol es H through all of-.said-jflats adja'ee nt acorresponding edgeof f said'flats. while saidflats are maintainedin.,said superim po'sed'relation, said holes' corresponding insize' andspacg ing to.seleetedjpin-barholesin a pin b ar- Iate, separatings'aidflats, and ,releasably securing eachflat to its associ- 'atedpin-bar plate,.said punched. holes -in 'saidflat being in registry withsaid selected holes in said pin-bar plate.

43A method of preparingpin-barplates for multi-color. ormulti-foriiiprinting, said method comprising thestep's of preparing a master flat by'constructingguide lines on..

ing a portion of said-.sheet'where it is desired fortli'ght a sheet oflight blocking material, securing a master negativeto said sheet-withreference to said guide lines, re

' paring a secondaryflat for each other coloror form used .byplacingasecond sheet of light blockingmaterial over said master .flat, securingasecond negative to said second I sheet'jwith the image onfsaidsecondinegativein registry. i with the irnage'onithe masternegativeyremovingtlie por 7 1 1 tion of said second sheet required topermit light to penetrate the transparent portion of said secondnegative, superimposing said secondary flats in precise registry Withsaid master flat on a light table, simultaneously punching a pluralityof holes through said flats adjacent a corresponding edge of each flatwhile said flats are maintained in said superimposed relation, saidholes corresponding in size and spacing to selected pin-bar holes in apin-bar plate with which said flats are adapted to be used, separatingsaid flats, releasably securing each flat to a separate pin-bar platewith said punched holes in said secured flat being in registry with saidselected holes in said pin-bar plate, and then transferring the imagecarried by said flat to said pin-bar plate for subsequent developmentthereon.

5. A device for preparing flats used in the preparation of pin-barplates for multi-color or multi-form printing, said device comprising abase member having a substan tially planar surface, die means adjacentone edge of said base having a plurality of apertures of equal diameterand spacing as selected apertures in a pin-bar plate, punch meansadapted to co-operate with said die means to simultaneously punch aplurality of holes adjacent, one edge of flats positioned on said diemeans, and guide means for positioning said flats on said die means.

6. A device for preparing flats used in the preparation of pinbar platesfor multi-color or multi form printing, said device comprisinga basemember having a substan- 1.2 flats positioned on said die means, a pairof stops positionedto engage said one edge of said flats and mounted foradjustment perpendicular to said one edge of said base, and a stoppositioned to engage a second edge of said flats mounted for adjustmentparallel to said one edge of said base.

7. A device for preparing flats used in the preparation of pin-barplates for multi-color or multi-form printing comprising a base memberhaving a substantially planar surface, die means adjacent one edge ofsaid base having a plurality of apertures of equal diameter and spacingas selected apertures in a pin-bar plate, punch means adapted toco-operate with said die means for punching a plurality of holesadjacent one edge of flats positioned onsaid die means, guide means foraccurately positioning said flats with respect to said diemeans, fixturemeans mounted on said base member and having a plurality of dowelmembers of equal diameter and spacing as said apertures, said dowelmembers extending above said planar surface of said'body member, andstripping means for removing assemblies from said fixture means.

' t 8. A device for preparing pin-bar plates for multi-color ormulti-form printing comprising a base member having a substantiallyplanar surface, fixture means adjacent one edge having a plurality ofdowel members of. equal diameter andspacing as selected apertures in apin-bar plate,

' said dowel members being parallel and extending above tially planarsurface, die means adjacent one edge of said taneously punch a pluralityof holes adjacent one edge of bar plates from'said dowels.

'..No references cited.

1. A METHOD OF PREPARING PIN-BAR PLATES FOR USE IN MULTI-COLOR ORMULTI-FORM PRINTING, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PREPARING AFLAT FOR EACH COLOR OR FORM APPEARING IN THE FINISHED PRINTING JOB BYSECURING A PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVE TO A SHEET OF LIGHT LOCKING MATERIALAND REMOVING A PORTION OF THE SHEET WHERE IT IS DESIRED FOR LIGHT TOPENETRATE THE NEGATIVE, SUPERIMPOSING SAID FLATS IN PERFECT REGISTRATIONON A LIGHT TABLE, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PUNCHING A PLURALITY OF HOLESTHROUGH SAID FLATS ADJACENT A CORRESPONDING EDGE OF EACH FLAT WHILE SAIDFLATS ARE MAINTAINED IN SAID PERFECT REGISTRATION, SAID HOLESCORRESPONDING IN SIZE AND SPACING TO SELECTED PIN-BAR HOLES IN A PINBARPLATE WITH WHICH SAID FLATS ARE ADAPTED TO BE USED,